It is important to note that healthcare regulations vary by province. Generally speaking, you will need to travel out-of-province for shoulder surgery unless you find a surgeon who is 'opted-out' of the public system (you can find them on Surgency, watch for surgeons with the disclaimer "Accepting patients from all provinces").

Note: Ontario doesn't allow surgeons to opt out, so Ontarians must travel for private shoulder surgery.

For an in-depth understanding on the private system, see How Does Private Surgery Work in Canada.

The cost of waiting

Patients often turn to private pathways when a chronic shoulder condition creates an unmanageable quality of life. Waiting months for a rotator cuff repair or shoulder replacement can mean enduring sleepless nights due to pain, losing range of motion, and struggling with basic tasks like getting dressed or reaching overhead.

A safer alternative to going abroad

Private surgery within Canada provides a secure environment with regulated professionals, allowing you to plan your recovery at home. This avoids the extreme expense of American hospitals and the potential complications associated with travelling for surgery to destinations like Latin America or Asia.

Regaining your reach

For most, the decision to go private is driven by a need to function again. It provides a way to bypass indefinite delays and resolve debilitating pain, which ultimately lightens the load on provincial healthcare resources.

Your resource for care

Surgency is a directory and educational resource, not a clinic. We facilitate connections to licensed private surgeons and accredited facilities across Canada. We help you evaluate your options, clarify costs, and verify qualifications so you can proceed with your surgery with total peace of mind.

When accessing private care, patients can expect a rigorous standard of safety and professionalism comparable to the best public institutions.

Accreditation & safety

Private surgical suites are highly regulated medical environments. To maintain their licenses, clinics must meet exacting standards set by provincial health authorities and pass frequent accreditation reviews. This ensures that infection control, equipment quality, and patient safety measures rival those of major academic hospitals.

World-class surgeons

You will be treated by elite medical professionals. The shoulder surgeons featured on Surgency are Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) with years of specialized training (more on understanding surgeon credentials here). These experts are often leaders in arthroscopic and reconstructive techniques, performing a high volume of surgeries annually to maintain peak proficiency.

Transparency and planning

The private pathway is built on predictability. You will not be left wondering when your surgery might happen; instead, you receive a guaranteed date. Detailed consultations ensure you understand the entire process, from pre-op preparation to post-op physio. By reducing wait times from years to weeks, private care allows you to take control of your health timeline.